Deshaun Watson told the Carolina Panthers ‘no.’ In the end, they couldn’t compete
The news of Deshaun Watson’s decision Thursday to not become a Carolina Panther had to be devastating for those in the organization.
They tried and tried for a year, offered an attractive trade package to the Texans — likely three first-round picks and more — and flew to Houston to meet with him Monday in an attempt to convince him that he should waive his no-trade clause for them.
A source with direct knowledge of the meeting told The Observer it went well.
To say owner David Tepper wanted him badly would be an understatement. He was part of the contingent that flew to Houston and had encouraged the front office staff to do whatever it took to get him. The Panthers are 22-43 since Tepper became owner and have been missing a franchise quarterback for most of his time in Charlotte. They thought Watson was that guy, a 26-year-old, three-time Pro Bowler, who was also the league’s passing leader in 2020. He’s probably about to enter his prime.
But Watson is not coming to Charlotte. The organization was informed Thursday night that they were out of the running, according to a source with direct knowledge of the call.
He’s going to Cleveland.
It doesn’t matter how good Carolina’s pitch or trade proposal was, the Panthers aren’t good enough yet to convince a franchise quarterback to come to Charlotte.
Watson is the second top-tier player to slip out of the Panthers’ grasp. The other was Matthew Stafford, who was traded to the Los Angles Rams and won a Super Bowl.
Now Carolina is back to square one — again — likely to finish in third or fourth in the NFC South again unless something unforeseen happens.
Perhaps this is the best outcome. Watson would have been a significant upgrade from who the Panthers have at quarterback now, considering Carolina’s quarterbacks threw 14 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 2021.
But the biggest question is whether a deal was worth it considering what has been alleged against him. Though he wasn’t charged criminally, he’s still facing 22 civil cases accusing him of sexual assault and sexual misconduct from 22 different massage therapists. The Panthers no longer have to worry about the message a trade would send to those who’d disagree with the decision because of the allegations.
Or Watson’s potential suspension by the league.
The Panthers interviewed people in Watson’s past as research on him and felt comfortable with what they learned.
While the NFL is a win-now league, and the quarterback is the most important position, it may take longer for the Panthers. They no longer have to give up three first-round picks and some of their best young prospects.
It’s time for Carolina to continue its rebuild and try another year. The Panthers still have the No. 6 pick in April’s draft and could use that on a quarterback, whether that’s leveraging it in a trade or using the selection on Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett.
At some point, a franchise quarterback will become available again. That’s just how this league works.
The Panthers could have their franchise quarterback already, had they drafted Justin Fields or Mac Jones when they had the chance last year. The jury is still out on whether they will be, but the potential is there.
And both appear to be better options than the prospects in this draft. Scouts say if Fields and Jones were in this draft, they’d be the top two quarterbacks coming off the board in that order.
At this point, their best course of action is to draft one, either this year or next. Franchise quarterbacks, who can control their destination, have had no desire to come here. Russell Wilson declined to waive his no-trade clause to come to Carolina.
Maybe Pickett or Willis, who some in the Panthers’ organization are intrigued by, will become a franchise quarterback. Only time will tell. The Panthers will have a chance to draft either quarterback, barring another team falls in love with one and trades up ahead of Carolina.
The bottom line is the Saints, Browns and Falcons offered something Carolina couldn’t compete with. Atlanta was Watson’s hometown team; he grew up less than an hour away and was the team’s ball boy as a child.
The Saints and Browns had a better rosters top to bottom, have had more success in recent years and have what appears to be a stable situation with their coaching staff.
Carolina can’t offer that until it actually wins.
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 9:33 PM.
